21 Best Places To Visit In Reunion Island

Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and Mauritius, offers stunning landscapes, from beaches to mountains.

It boasts significant coral reefs (80%) and rainforests (50%), unique animal species, and a rich human culture blending African, Indian, and European influences.

The island is known for its contrasting climate, endemic plants, and spectacular views, such as the water shoot from a cave. Here are the 21 best places to visit in Reunion Island.

The Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum, housed in an 1834 historic building, displays over 4,000 natural history pieces, including rare birds, mammals, and vertebrates.

Its exhibition is organized into three clusters: the pre-colonial Indo-Oceanic world, the colonial period (1498-1946) including the slave trade and European colonization, and nineteenth-century art.

Pas De Bellecombe

Pass de Bellecombe, a popular destination on Reunion Island’s eastern side, offers unique views of Formica Leo crater and Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Accessible by car via Route Forestiere 5 du Volcan, the pass requires careful driving and preparation for rain.

From here, explore the 300-meter-deep volcano, a 1998 lava flow tunnel, and solidified lava formations. The scenic Route du Volcan offers a landscape overview, suitable for self-drivers or those with a reliable driver.

Saint-Pierre

Saint-Pierre, a port town in southwest Réunion Island, offers a relaxing beach vacation with natural wonders nearby. It features a 18th-century Town Hall, the Saga du Rhum museum chronicling rum production, and the fishing village of Terre Sainte.

Nearby attractions include volcanic calderas, waterfalls, and dolphins. The Saturday market offers local art and crafts. The Saga du Rhum distillery provides free rum sampling. The town has various restaurants and bars, with a white sand beach for children to enjoy.

Saint-Gilles-Les-Bains

Saint-Gilles-Les-Sea, a resort village known as the “Saint Tropez of Réunion Island,” offers lively restaurants, bars, surf breaks, boutiques, markets, and a marina. Historical sites include the Villele Museum, a slave hospital, and an old sugar factory.

The area is ideal for snorkeling, with sharks, moray eels, and diverse coral species. The Jardin d’Eden botanical garden features tropical plants and lava tunnels.

Ilet Bethleem

Reunion Island boasts powerful waterfalls, including Trou de Fer, which combines several rivers into a 695m fall. The capital, Saint-Denis, features a Gothic cathedral, State Garden, Tamil temple, history museum, and extensive shopping.

For seaside activities, Ilet Bethleem offers picnic shelters, an old chapel, and swimming spots, accessible by a 15-minute walk from Rivière des Marsouins.

Saint-Leu

The Saint-Leu conservatory spans three hectares, housing 4,000 plant species, including endemic flora and an aquarium with sea turtles. Saint-Leu, a west coast town, is known for surfing, paragliding, and a marine reserve with diverse sea life.

It also offers vibrant nightlife with numerous restaurants and bars.Reunion Island’s history can be explored at the Sugar Museum, featuring a 4D cinema and auditorium, and a coconut plantation.

Cite Du Volcan

Cité du Volcan, located on Reunion Island, is an interactive museum and educational center focused on volcanology, particularly the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

The museum offers an immersive experience with holograms, 4D movies simulating eruptions, and exhibits detailing volcanic geology and the impact of eruptions on the island. It features two 4D movie halls, a replica lava tunnel, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Cité du Volcan provides a comprehensive overview of Reunion Island’s volcanic history, making it a significant attraction for those interested in the island’s natural heritage.

Pas Des Sables

A Segway tour of Reunion Island’s UNESCO heritage site begins at Pas des Sables, a lunar landscape with endemic plants, and continues to Piton de la Fournaise. The tour is not suitable for beginners.

Additionally, explore Saint-Denis’ historic center and the interactive Cité du Volcan museum. Pas des Sables offers a renowned beach and the Temple du Colosse landmark.

Plaine Des Sables

Plaine des Sables can be accessed via Pas des Sables, showcasing a unique landscape with golden and vermilion tones. Notable points include Casse de la Rivière de l’Est, Piton Chisny, and Dolomieu crater.

Alternatively, Mirador de la Plaine des Sables at 2260m offers a challenging photographic opportunity, best in early morning.

Activities in the area range from beach hiking and snorkeling to volcano crater tours and museum visits for insights into island formation.

Marche Forain

Marche Forain is a vibrant town distinguished by colorful weatherboard houses and terraces shaded by banyan trees. Its market, open every Saturday, features over 300 stalls offering a diverse range of local specialties.

Visitors can sample Creole dishes like samosas, explore a section dedicated to spices, and browse fresh local fruit and vegetables.

Additionally, the market offers crafts, basketry, and multicolored hats, making it an ideal place to try local cuisine and shop for souvenirs and produce.

Aquarium De La Reunion

Cozy Aquarium & Education Center presents well-curated displays of marine life and biodiversity, with a focus on reef ecosystems. Housed in a charming island building, its primary goal is to educate the public about the island’s marine life and biodiversity.

The center also features a gift shop. Reunion Island Aquarium, located on the west coast, is a 600,000-liter aquarium showcasing over 500 species of marine animals and fish.

It is an excellent place for children to learn about the marine world, with information presented in French. The aquarium offers workshops and information meetings, making it a great destination for family day trips.

Cascade De La Grande Ravine

Reunion Island offers spectacular waterfalls, notably the Veil of the Bride, which flows from Salazie circus into the Mast River.

This waterfall, over 20 meters tall and 100 meters wide, is surrounded by emerald-green waters, providing a stunning view and a popular picnic and swimming spot near Grand Coude.

Grand Benare, a volcanic area, is ideal for sunrise photography, while the fishing village L’Anse des Cascades hosts a market on Friday and Saturday mornings, offering souvenirs, local specialties, and sunset views.

The Cascade Valley presents challenging yet rewarding hikes with breathtaking views for nature lovers.

Bassin Des Aigrettes

Reunion Island boasts numerous waterfalls, including the famous Grand Galet within the Reunion Nature Reserve and the lesser-known Bassin des Aigrettes in Saint Gilles.

The Salazie circus, easily accessible from Saint Andrew via the scenic RD48 road, offers multiple trails for exploring nature. Malheur canyon, a lava-filled basin, is best visited in the morning.

Afternoon activities include beach relaxation and underwater tours, with opportunities to spot some of the 23 whale species inhabiting the island’s waters.

Kelonia

Ethical Tourism: 5 Essential StepsSaint-Leu, Réunion Island, features Kélonia Aquarium, a marine turtle-focused public aquarium and observatory. It offers educational exhibits, programs, and a live turtle observatory for conservation efforts.

Additionally, Kélonia hosts year-round exhibitions on traditional island crafts, with artwork available for purchase. A unique display of turtle carapaces from its former farm is also showcased.

Piton Des Neiges

Piton des Neiges, Réunion Island, is a central ancient volcano hosting over 200 plant and animal species within a biological reserve.

As the Indian Ocean’s highest peak, it offers challenging hikes with unrivaled island views, surrounded by three crater valleys and near the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano.

The Trois Salazes rocky peaks are another notable feature. In Salazie town, the Morange house showcases traditional instruments. The hike involves ladders, scrambling, and is longer but less crowded than the Cilaos trail. The peak is popular for paragliding.

Piton De La Fournaise

Piton de la Fournaise, in southeastern Réunion Island, is a 500,000-year-old shield volcano standing at 2,632 meters. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site within La Réunion National Park, known for its frequent eruptions (around every nine months) and unique landscapes, including orange-brown scoria.

Lava flows occur on its southeastern slopes, with a notable flow reaching Sainte-Rose in 1977, leading to the establishment of the Observatoire Volcanologique.

The volcano has erupted over 150 times since the 17th century, primarily producing lava flows. A high-resolution 250-meter KMZ file is available on Google Earth for exploring the terrain.

Maido

Maido, accessible via mountain road from Saint Gilles, offers panoramic island views, diverse flora and fauna, including highland tamarins. Best visited in the morning, it overlooks Gros Morne, Grand Benare, and Piton des Neiges.

Activities include quad riding, all-terrain cycling, summer sledding, and geranium plantation tours. The Megavalanche de la Reunion mountain bike race is also held here.

Parc du Colorado

Parc du Colorado, a 300-meter-high natural area on Réunion Island, offers outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

It features diverse wildlife, themed gardens, a golf course, and a weather station. The Colorado trail spans the park, and guided tours are available.

Additionally, the park has a colonial house for souvenirs and snacks, a natural history museum, water slides, and a lagoon for snorkeling. Arrive early for parking, especially with children.

La Maison du Coco

La Maison du Coco in Saint-Leu, Réunion Island, is a museum showcasing coconut products, with a guided tour and garden. It features a 500,000-litre tank from a former sugar factory, galleries on human impact on sea turtles, and turtle care. The museum also honors the island’s sugar industry, retaining its original machinery.

Saint-Denis

Saint-Denis, the capital of Réunion Island, features colonial and Creole-style mansions, with notable examples along Rue de Paris. Maison Carrère, a house museum with period furniture, and Musée Léon Dierx, a modern art gallery in the former bishop’s palace, are highlights.

Originally a small hamlet, Saint-Denis grew rapidly in the 18th century and retains its rich history through Creole buildings and a museum dedicated to French colonial architecture. Guided city tours showcase its culture, history, and beautiful gardens.

Stella Matutina

Reunion Island’s Museum of Sugar Cane and Rum Production, housed in a renovated old sugar factory, offers interactive exhibits and educational programs on the island’s sugar cane history.

Visitors can learn about sugar cane cultivation, worker lives, and the evolution of sugar production techniques. The museum, accessible from the north-south road, includes a temporary exhibition hall and amphitheater integrated into the existing structure.

Domaine Du Cafe Grille

Domaine du Cafe Grille is a popular restaurant on Réunion Island, blending French and local cuisine, with an impressive wine cellar and beach snack bar.

Beyond dining, it offers historical insights, showcasing over 900 plant species, including the moringa tree, in its gardens.

Nearby attractions include a Gothic-style cathedral, State Garden, and Tamil Kali Kampal Temple, enabling diverse activities in a short time.

Takeaway

Reunion Island offers a unique blend of natural wonders, cultural richness, and diverse activities. From the active volcanoes of Piton de la Fournaise and Piton des Neiges to the historic sites of Saint-Denis and the vibrant towns of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Gilles-Les-Sea, the island provides numerous opportunities for exploration and relaxation. Its combination of stunning landscapes, adventure, and heritage makes Reunion Island a memorable destination.